Boone NC Hiking, Backpacking and great Picnic Areas for Sightseeing near Boone NC

Elk's Knob State Park NC - Photo here was taken LATE Fall and Early Winter Months at the Parks Highest elevation.



After receiving many questions of interest, through conversations about the Elk's Knob State Park area in North Carolina, I've decided to re-post a link with a really good overview of the park, its history and things you may need to know prior to a day trip visit. Probably the most important thing to mention, is that, the park is still being updated and improved; therefore, over night camping is not yet available. But the other activities like hiking and photography make the trip worth your efforts.

A great idea would be to visit the park for a hike to the top, enjoy the view and then head towards Boone NC and surrounding areas to spend the night, camp, a hotel stay or quaint bed and breakfast experience. Below are also some links that may help with your over night choices...


^ ^{a b} "Elk Knob State Park: Activities". North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/elkn/activities.php. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.

Over night accommodations - Camping, Cabins, Hotels, Bed and Breakfast Inns and more
http://www.discoverourtown.com/NC/Boone/Lodging-3999.html

Valle Crucis NC Cabin Rentals and Boone NC Travel Tips - Backpacking and Hiking

One of my favorite places in all seasons is the beautiful area of Valle Crucis North Carolina, outside of Boone NC, off of Highway 105. Coming from Winston Salem take 421 to 105 - from Hickory NC or Charlotte take 321 to 105. A picturesque small area that features small shops, a bakery, the FAMOUS MAST GENERAL STORE and of course Valle Crucis Log Cabin Rentals and Sales. Once you visit this area, you'll continue to come back for each season. You can lounge in your private scenic hot tub while the snow flakes fall onto your face in the winter, you can watch deer as you rock on your private wrap around porch or take an early morning hike or nature walk through the beautiful mountain laurel. The area is breath taking in all seasons and close by is authentic Italian dining, British antique shopping, boutique shops, designer outlets, icecream and more. Just minutes away is Boone NC, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk.

Check back weekly as I update my BLOG with pictures and more information on this area.
Dana Mathews

Fun River Tubing in Jefferson NC A Great Day Of Family Fun - Camping, Kayaking and more

If you get the chance to visit, Western North Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful and scenic rivers and streams in the United States. Making it easy to enjoy waterside camping, kayaking, canoeing and more. One of our favorite places to slowly drift down the New River is at Zaloo's Canoes. There you'll be meet with a friendly and knowledgeable staff to ensure you enjoy a relaxing day on the river.

Zaloo's Canoes is located on South Fork of the New River, a National Scenic and Wild River and an American Heritage River. Zaloo's Canoes Kayaks and Tubes is the oldest and friendliest outfitter in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our ideal riverside location is four miles from Jefferson, NC in Historic Ashe County. We are on the very best stretch of the New River in North Carolina. Thirty one miles of river below us is designated as New River State Park, and a National Scenic and Wild River with three state parks with campgrounds that make for great two to five day canoe and kayak camping trips.

Call 800-535-4027 for reservations and info 3874 NC HWY 16 south Jefferson, NC 28640

The photo shown here is a wonderful day trip we took with Zaloos and spent hours having fun and enjoying the breath taking views.

Wilson Creek NC and Morganton NC Shopping and Movies - Fly Fishing and Kayaking

Not too far from the cute downtown city of Morganton NC is beautiful Wilson Creek, which is registered as one of the nation's top 3 clean water sources. This breath taking area is one of my favorites for a day trip, to enjoy a picnic or some fly fishing. If your into kayaking, this area has become popular over the years for those wanting a scenic yet fun paddling adventure.

Take The Morganton Exit off of I-40, head through downtown Morganton and taking a slight turn to the left onto 181.
Follow 181 for about 12 miles to Brown Mountain Beach Rd., at a small church, turn right. Go about 5 miles; just past a bridge over Wilson Creek (which looks like a small river) turn left to stay on Brown Mtn. Beach Rd. The main road continues straight but changes names. There is a sign for the Pisgah National Forest Mortimer Campground. You can start enjoying many scenic views about a half a mile down the dirt road, choosing from several places to park on your left and easily walk to the water and rock formations. If you continue to drive you will follow Wilson Creek through the settlement of Brown Mountain Beach, and continue through the beautiful Gorge section, and the visitor center is on the left after approximately 4-1/2 miles.

It's a great drive and well worth the time for North Carolina natives and those from out of state. Take your camera - the pictures will be awesome!

After a day of enjoying the creek you can head back to Morganton NC and enjoy a movie in their quaint downtown movie theatre or grab a really good meal at several small eateries. If your staying the weekend then there's a few really nice boutiques to visit like Benjamin's & Libbas's, where you'll find a nice selection of some of today's newest fashions.
www.benjaminslibbas.com/aboutus.asp

For easy online shopping and some of the newest styles in wrought iron furniture and hand-forged tables visit Buy It Now Furniture, they ship nationwide.
http://buyitnowfurniture.com/

NC Mountains Weekend Get Away Places Great Hiking and Nature Walks, Elk's Knob Park

Visit our new blog site each week for updated tips on some of the nicest out of the way places to visit in the North Carolina mountains and the beautiful coast. We specialize in finding you places to visit with easy day trips and weekend adventures in hiking, kayaking, site seeing, boutique shopping and fun eateries as well as great local North Carolina dining spots. The places you don't want to miss. Affordable fun in NC for individuals, couples or families. No tourist traps here, only the best places, that seem to be hidden away and known only to the locals. Secluded streams, quiet hiking trails, slow tubing rivers, out of the way kayak trails, beautiful views for great picture taking and tips on exploring everything the state of North Carolina has to offer. Plus you'll be exposed to some of the best hidden eateries in the state. Join us for affordable and safe fun!

ALSO CLICK THE LINK ( first blue link ) BELOW to see all of the state parks in North Carolina, hopefully our blog can help you discover the beautiful state we live in and enjoy the gifts of the land.

Dana Mathews

The pictures seen here are of the beautiful Elk Knob State Park, near Boone North Carolina.
Elk Knob State Park is a 1800 acre (7.28 km²) North Carolina state park in Watauga County, North Carolina, in the United States. Opened in 2003, it is one of North Carolina's newest state parks. Elk Knob State Park was established to preserve the natural state of Elk Knob, the second highest peak in Watauga County. The park is open for year-round recreation and is currently undergoing an expansion of facilities to provide greater recreational opportunities to visitors. Elk Knob State Park is on Meat Camp Road, 5.5 miles (8.9 km) from North Carolina Highway 194, 9.5 miles (15.3 km) north of Boone, in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Elk Knob State Park is one of the newest state parks in North Carolina. Recreational opportunities are limited since the facilities at the park have not yet been fully built, and will remain somewhat limited since one of the goals of the park is to maintain it as a natural area.^[6] An old road that leads to the summit of Elk Knob is steep, rocky, and has a high rate of difficulty for hiking. A less steep and easier to ascend hiking trail is under construction with the help of volunteers.^[7] Upon reaching the summit hikers are can view Mount Jefferson, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, and various peaks in Tennessee and Virginia.^[7]

Camping is not permitted at Elk Knob State Park. A small picnic area is under construction.

1. ^ ^{a b} "Elk Knob State Natural Area". North Carolina Office of Environmental Education. http://web.eenorthcarolina.org/net/org/info.aspx?s=50569.0.0.37430. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
2. ^ ^{a b c} Jane Nicholson. "Elk Knob project combines community and heritage preservation". ASU News. http://www.news.appstate.edu/2007/02/01/heritage-preservation/. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
3. ^ ^{a b} Scott Nicholson. "Trail Work Continues At Elk Knob". The Mountain Times. http://www.mountaintimes.com/mtweekly/2006/0427/elk_knob.php3. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
4. ^ ^{a b} "Elk Knob State Park: Activities". North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/elkn/activities.php. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.